Research Vessels Thomas G. Thompson and Rachel Carson Oceanographic Instrumentation: Shared Scientific Infrastructure for Ocean Research

This project enhances shared-use oceanographic instrumentation supporting scientific operations aboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson, a research vessel operating as part of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet. The instrumentation upgrades improve reliability and help maintain high-quality observations needed to study ocean circulation, marine ecosystems, seafloor processes, water column structure, and other ocean systems. The project strengthens shared research infrastructure aboard fleet vessels while supporting modern ocean science, workforce development, and research and education activities relevant to ocean observation, environmental prediction, natural hazard assessment, and coastal resilience. The project includes acquisition of shared-use conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) instrumentation and sensors supporting water column sampling operations, as well as a shallow-water multibeam sonar system supporting high-resolution seafloor mapping. These investments address equipment obsolescence, improve operational resiliency, and enhance the reliability and availability of critical observational capabilities. The project helps maintain the technical infrastructure necessary to support a broad range of oceanographic research activities conducted aboard Academic Research Fleet vessels and ensures continued access to high-quality water column observations and seafloor mapping capabilities for the research community. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.